The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-10-22

WUmcu SuOulQ DC encouraged TO 6nC6r
the ministry. We need ministers who
are well qualified for the work of re-
deeming the waste places, and of gath
ering in those who are scattered like
sheep without a shepherd.
The parishes must be willing to CO.
operate and employ available men and
such as they can adequately support.
Too many of our people are not suffi-
GENTLY alive to a sense of their individ-
ual and mutual obligations to the local
and general UNCONVENTIONAL interests,
which is such large element of sue
cess in all church organizations. We
should love our church and be devoted
to its interests. 1t is the divinely ap-
pointed means by which the gospel is
brought to bear upon humanity, and
through which we may become CO. work
er5 with God in concentrating his great
purpose of worlds redemption. We
have reasonable theology, a good Or
| ganization and a wise administration;
and when we come more fully under
the influence of the divine spirit, and
are baptized with fire from heaven, we
shall be endued with power to evan
gelize the world.
The Results Of Constructive Work
are not always Immediately apparent,
and religious growth is slow. When
we consider the large field and the
small amount of labor and money ex-
pended, we have no reason to feel dis
couraged or to relax our efforts. Our
church was never in better financial
or religious condition than now. True,
we have not occupied all the fields, or
secured activity in all our churches ;
but we have made substantial gain,
and are getting ready for larger enter
prises, and in the near future we shall
reap great results from our missionary
labors. Thankful for the past, let us
turn joyfully and hopefully to the fu-
ture.
| Plan of Work.
The plan of work has been essentially
the same as last year that of concen-
trating upon some one or more parishes
and continuing till permanent results
are reached and pastors can be settled.
My labors have been more extended
than last year, because of my better
knowledge of the field and the needs of
our church. The local missionary work
has been more Immediately under the
charge of the Committee on Missions
thereby leaving me free to care for the
more general interests of our church
throughout the State. The fostering
of new movements; the helpful over.
sight to promote spiritual life, and to
prevent alienation of church property
the removal of difficulties, and the over.
coming of discouragements and the
seeking to prevent churches from be-
coming inactive, constitute the various
lines of work pursued by the Superin-
tendent. 1 have been very cordially
received, and wherever services have
been held, marked degree of religious
interest has been awakened. The PEG.
pie appear to have but very little preju-
dice against our church; and wherever
the need exists, the way is open for us
to plant church and occupy the field
The day has gone by, when we may ex-
pect large recruits from other churches
or for receiving encouragements in or
ganizing church where those already
established meet the religious needs OF
the community, or have only precari-
Gus existence. We must draw our re.
cruits from the unchurched masses and
convert them into good material for ouI
church. When we enter field unoc'
cupied by any other church, we shall be
cordially received and fairly judged upon
our merits as Christian church.
My work has not been embarrassed
by reason OF pecuniary consideration
AS time and opportunity permitted,
| udfO DCOn dDlO W floio 0hJ POoRAO hOSA
ing my services. / have not preached
many times without some remunera-
ton. Our plan of work has been to
encourage parishes to make an effort to
help themselves to supplement theiI
efforts and not to lessen their self-re-
spect and sense of responsibility for the
success of the work.
The Work.
1 have preached upw ard of 125 SER
mons, delivered several addresses, con-
Quoted conference meetings, visited
Sunday schools, baptized and received
members into the church, and made
many pastoral calls. In doing this work
1 have travelled over 1000 miles. ]
have preached in the following places;
Elgin, LIE Roy, Hoopeston, Windsor,
Woodlawn, Westfeld, Greenup, Beech
er City, North Chicago, Monmouth,
New Boston, Whitehall, Girard, Spring
field, Urbana, McHenry, Hutsonville,
Marseilles, and Earlville. A series OF
meetings have been held in Westfield,
Beecher City, New Boston, Girard and
Springfield.
have preached in LIS Roy two Sun
days in each month since May l. The